Sven relying on Italian connection

SVEN-GORAN Eriksson is stepping up his goalkeeper search after it was revealed that Andreas Isaksson's hairline fracture was worse than first feared and could keep him out of action for up to two months. The Blues' boss said he was considering all options but with the Scott Carson route apparently hitting a dead-end, he hopes that his Italian connections might bring 25-year-old Marco Amelia to Manchester.

SVEN-GORAN Eriksson is stepping up his goalkeeper search after it was revealed that Andreas Isaksson's hairline fracture was worse than first feared and could keep him out of action for up to two months.

The Blues' boss said he was considering all options but with the Scott Carson route apparently hitting a dead-end, he hopes that his Italian connections might bring 25-year-old Marco Amelia to Manchester.

"We need an experienced goalkeeper," said Eriksson.

"We are working hard on it. I rate Joe Hart and Kasper Schmeichel highly but you have to remember that they are boys with almost no experience of the Premiership.

"Something will happen in the next three days. We are open for all possibilities whether that is a permanent deal or a long or short-term loan.

"I know Amelia is a very good goalkeeper. The Livorno manager was my goalkeeping coach in Lazio and the assistant at Livorno was my assistant at Lazio. Amelia is the number two for the Italian national team and I am sure he will have a lot of offers."